Lacing



(N 0 Model.)

I. S. MGKENNBY.

LAGING.

No. 536,476. Patented Mar. 26, 1895.

/n vemor: iw/w/zefw 1 0g 2 @e/ y I UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANKLIN S. MOKENNEY, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN.

LACING.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 536,4;76, dated March 26, 1895.

Application filed January 16, 1889- Serial No 296,533. (No model.) I

T at whom it may concern: 7

Be it known that I, FRANKLIN S. MCKEN- NEY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Detroit, county of Wayne, State of Michigan, have invented a certain new and useful Irnprovement in Lacings; and I declare the following to be afull, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification.

My present invention relates to aniln proved lacing for shoes, gloves and other articles desired to be laced and has among its various objects, first, the use of a blind lacing with simulated buttons and button holes; second, the employment of a blind lacing with buttonheaded shanks to form a laced boot having the appearance of a button boot; third, the location of loop-shanks in the place ordinarily occupied by shoe-buttons, upon a shoe.

My invention also contemplates the-general construction, combination and arrangements of devices herewith set forth.

In the drawings Figure 1 shows features of my invention applied to a shoe, the lacing being loosened. Fig. 2 shows also a shoe to which my invention is applied, the same being laced up. Fig. 3 illustrates the construction of a shank embodied in my invention. Fig. 4 is a sectional view on the line y-y Fig. 1. Figs. 5 and 6 are separate views illustrating my improved loop-shanks.

I carry out my invention as follows: As applied to a shoe, A A represent the two sides of an upper, one edge of which I provide with an additional inner facing A sewed or otherwise secured thereto, as shown on the line a Fig. 1. The upper itself constitutes the outer facing. The edges of the two facings may be scalloped, as shown,if preferred. Between the inner and the outer facings I locate a series of shanks B which may be of any desired construction, and with which a cord 0 may be engaged.

While I do not limit myself solely to any particular construction of the shank, I find a very desirable form to consist of a stem b preferably tubular and with a simulated button head I). Engaged upon this stem-is a holder 22 through which the lacing cord may be passed, the same being perforated as at b to receive the stem. To receive the cord the end of said holder may be turned to form an eye or loop as at I). Where this form of a shank is used, the holder b is located between the said facings, the eye or loop projecting outward toward the edge, but being preferably concealed by the outer facing. The opposite side of the upper maybe formed in the usual manner, but is provided with external loop-shanks E, which may consist of metal formed with a loop e, the metal extending at one or more sides from the loop. The extended endsor sides may be perforated so as to be sewed upon the upper,or otherwise constructed so as to be engaged or clinched'thereupon. These loop-shanks E,it should be un derstood, are so located that when the opposite side of the upper is brought down to its place, said loop-shanks will be concealed thereunder. Said loop-shanks will be located on the line commonly occupied by buttons in ordinary button boots.

In a shoe the shanks B may be located in the scallops, and the loop shanks alternating, so that one end of a cord may be passed alternately back and forth to engage the shank B and loop-shanks E. The outer facing is provided with simulated button holes, as shown in Fig. 2 at a. Where the shanks B and loop shanks E are so located the lacing will be effectually concealed. By scalloping the edges of the inner and outer facings between which the shanks B are engaged, the cord is permitted to pass from said shanks to the loop shanks and return adjacent to the inner point of the scallop, at the same time, the cord being concealed and the shank also.

In Fig. 2 more particularly I have shown the blind lacing now described employed at the lower portion of the lacing for a desired distance, ordinary hooks F being engaged upon the respective sides of the upper in the usual manner the remaining distance. Thus the cord is concealed as far as may bedesired when it may be passed to the exterior and en gaged in the ordinary manner about the hooks.

apart, the cord engaged with the shanks B and E retaining its engagement therewith, the free end of the cord being drawn back as indicated in Fig. 1.

When unloosed, the edges are drawn In lacing the shoe, the end of the cord is grasped and readily pulled up, bringing the sides of the upper together. The slack of the cord thus gathered up is of a length suflicient to be secured over said hooks, after which the end is fastened in any suitable manner, as by means of a fastening G engaged upon the article for this purpose.

In ordinary ladies and childrens shoes, the present styles favor a button shoe and it will be seen that my invention is calculated and adapted to preserve this style, so far as the appearance of a shoe is concerned, while at the same time, a more sightly button head may be provided upon the stem of the shank and the work of forming a regular button hole be dispensed with, a simulated button hole simply being employed. The use of a button hook is also dispensed with and all liability of pulling the button hole out of shape, and of pulling 0d the buttons is entirely overcome. This will be seen to be of great advantage, as the shoe will always remain in shape,no Wear coming upon the button holes, presenting an untidy or rough appearance. In unbuttoniug ordinary button boots, great strain comes upon the button holes and buttons, especially if they are violently stripped apart as is very customary, often tearing off buttons and damaging the button holes. By my invention this is entirely avoided, as there are no buttons to be pulled off and no button holes to be injured. Moreover in buttoningashoe the entire strain comes, each time a button is buttoned, upon the individual button and button hole, whereas in my invention, in lacing up the shoe or glove the strain is distributed to the series of shanks employed, instead of all coming upon any one of them at any time. This general distribution of the strain, throughout the entire lacing, is the same, while the article is in use, as the cord is permitted to slip about the shanks and adjust itself to the strain at all times. Thus the artieleis rendered very much neater, more durable, and is much more easily and readily fastened.

What I claim as my invention is In a lacing the combination with the article to be laced having one of its sides provided with an inner and an outer facing and with simulated button holes, of a shank pro vided with a simulated button head engaged with said facings, a series of shanks engaged upon the opposite edge of the article and a cord in engagement with said shanks, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I sign this specification in the presence of two witnesses.

FRANKLIN S. MCKENNEY.

Witnesses:

N. S. WRIGHT, CHAS. F. Snow. 

